Tuesday, May 10, 2005

Last week, from Thursday 5th to Sunday 8th May, I attended the annual EurECA (European Educators' Christian Association) conference, which took place this year at Scripture Union's Le Rimlishof centre, in the Alsace region of France. There were about 60 educators present, from many countries in Europe. Most of them were teachers in either state schools or private Christian schools. A few, like me, work in non-formal education. I was representing the Asociación de Educadores Evangélicos de Madrid, who are members of EurECA. The conference theme was 'Love in the Curriculum'.

A view of the nearest village to the conference centre, Buhl, and the beautiful surrounding region of Alsace.

Apart from the programmed sessions at the conference, time was spent profitably between sessions just getting to know other European educators. It was especially interesting to meet Isabel Pinto Pinheiro from Portugal. Isabel is the chair of an association which groups together about 150 Evangelical Protestant RE teachers who work in state schools in Portugal.

I was asked to present Godly Play during one of the optional afternoon sessions. About 20 people attended the presentation, representing a good number of countries, and several of them asked for further information about the method.

If you wish to learn a little more about what I am up to in Spain regarding Godly Play presentations and training, a five-minute BBC programme about the method in the UK is available online. The programme was broadcast last Sunday 8th May on Radio4's Sunday magazine. Click here for a direct link to the programme. You will need to have RealPlayer installed.